Premium furniture and interiors brand YOCA [Young Collective Artists] led by architects Ahsan Najmi, Sarah Najmi Bilgrami and Zayd Bilgrami, announced a one of a kind collaborative designer series in November 2013. To kick start this two year designer series, the fall 2013 show was revealed with Lahore’s acclaimed couturier Hassan Sheheryar Yasin.
The YOCA x HSY collection was launched on 14th December 2013 through a select and intimate private viewing at the HSY Studio in Lahore with a one of a kind collaborative show, where the entire studio was transformed by YOCA’s artists and architects to reflect four living spaces: the lounge, living room, dining hall and the study.
The collection was conceptualized and created with historic Pakistan as the team’s influence, principally Quaid-e-Azam and his iconic message of Unity, Faith and Discipline and to this end the YOCA and HSY design museum reflected the culture and civilization of 1940’s post-partition Jinnah’s Pakistan, with one of a kind limited edition pieces of furniture and vintage home couture, influenced by that era.
The private viewing was attended by media, fashion, business and social personalities alike, notably, fashion designers Nilofer Shahid, Nasreen Shaikh, Kamiar Rokni and Rehan Bashir of The House of Kamiar Rokni, Sonia Azhar, Maheen Kardar Ali of Karma, Khadijah Shah of Élan, Mahgul Rashid, Faryal Aftab of Muse, Asifa of Asifa & Nabeel, Zara Shahjahan, Mohsin Ali, Deena Rehman and Rana Noman; models Mehreen Syed, Vaneeza Ahmad Ali, Amna Kardar, Waleed Khalid and Zara Peerzada, media personality Yousaf Salahuddin, actress Ayesha Khan and television host Huma Amir Shah, musician Ahmed Ali Butt and CEO PFDC Saad Ali. The event was managed by HSY Events with PR by Lotus.
YOCA x HSY’s public viewing commences 16th December 2013 at the HSY Studio till 17th December 2013 and the collection is available to order in Karachi at the YOCA showroom located at 14-C Lane 7, Main Khayaban-e-Bukhari Commercial Phase 6, D.H.A.
Indeed the YOCA designer series will introduce limited edition collections of furniture and home accessories between 2013 – 2016. The two year YOCA designer series will also introduce limited edition collaborative collections with Pakistan’s most sought after bridal couturier Bunto Kazmi, iconic fashion designer Maheen Khan, coveted couture brand Élan, young design force Sania Maskatiya and luxury couture label Menahel & Mehreen.
“At YOCA, our limited edition series of collaborative collections are an introduction to the idea that synergies are the way in which design houses can have a dialogue. It is through such collective work, where we, as pioneers in different fields, get together and create, to allow for design to become a conversation; a platform where the boundaries of different genres of design are being crossed.
Our collection with HSY is the first expression of our collaborative design exercise, where we have hand-picked talented and likeminded artists including Bunto Kazmi, Maheen Khan, Élan, Sania Maskatiya and Menahel & Mehreen to create and converse with us over the course of respective annual collections” said team YOCA.
Speaking about the collaboration, HSY said, “YOCA is a boutique trend setting design house, whose focus on excellence, quality and finesse in design are perfect pillars for collaboration with the House of HSY. Our collaborative collection brings together the glamour of my city Lahore with the cosmopolitan chic of YOCA’s Karachi to debut the designer series project.
With this vintage Pakistan inspired collection, we have worked together to introduce entire room interiors, craft one off furniture pieces, customize home art and décor as well as incorporating the revival of old world embellishments and embroideries in our upholstery, taking patrons on a journey through our interpretation of Jinnah’s Pakistan.”
YOCA is coveted as among Pakistan’s most innovative lifestyle brands. Conceived and led by three powerhouse architects, Ahsan Najmi, Sarah Najmi Bilgrami and Zayd Bilgrami, the collective embodies a combination of eclectic aesthetics, global industry exposure and academic design credentials from the coveted Rhode Island School of Design. YOCA, run by professionally trained architects, who have to their credit a generational history in the field.
To this end, Ahsan, Sarah and Zayd are partners at the 35 year strong architectural practice, Najmi Bilgrami Collaborative Ltd (NBCL). It is their sound understanding and appreciation of architectural scales and interior design, coupled with their universal inspirations, which empowers the YOCA team to create bespoke furniture and interiors that are elegant, based in the finest materials with meticulous craftsmanship, honoring a commitment to bring luxury and quality design to spaces.
Established in the year 2000, HSY is best known for combining contemporary silhouettes with the traditional techniques of old. The brand’s inspiration is distinctly Pakistani and Middle Eastern peppered with Western influences. Easily recognized as one of the biggest names in fashion in the region, Hassan Sheheryar Yasin is the fashion force behind the label and has been referred to as the ‘New King of Couture’ by Harper’s Bazaar magazine. Hassan himself holds an honors degree in Couture from the Pakistan School of Fashion Design, an affiliate of La Chambre Syndicale De La Couture Parisienne, France.
Currently serving as a member of the board of directors of the Pakistan Institute of Fashion and Design, Hassan is also one of the founding members of the PFDC and the recipient of multiple ‘Designer of the Year’ awards, including the Ahlan Fashion and Lifestyle awards, the Lux Style Award, the Most Stylish Fashion Icon at the MTV Style Awards and Style Guru of the Year by Indus Style Awards. One of I.Q Magazine’s Top 20 Fashion Icons of the World and amongst Ahlan’s Hot 100 people, Hassan has been a driving force in the world of fashion for over 15 years.
